Introduction
To investigate whether operative treatment leads to earlier return to previous activity level, 94 patients with the same number
of isolated, acute, complete, stable and non-displaced fractures of the scaphoid mid-third were involved in a prospective,
multicenter cohort study.
Method
Fractures were either fixed with a cannulated screw or immobilized with a short arm cast, and followed for 6 months.
Results
By 15 weeks, patients receiving surgical treatment returned significantly earlier to their full time work and home activities,
as well as achieved significantly better results for functional status, pain, and overall satisfaction. However, complication
rates concerning union and secondary operative management were higher.
Conclusion
Operative treatment therefore primarily facilitates earlier return to previous activity level, as well as better functional
status, less pain and higher patient satisfaction, yet conservative treatment seems to be safer and associated with a lower
complication rate.
Keywords Scaphoid fracture - Operative treatment - Convervative treatment - Return to activities - Return to work